Roller assembly



Aug. 4, 1959 D. c. HAMMAN- ROLLER ASSEMBLY Filed Aug. 13. 1957 5: f ya.

l in all of the channels ROLLER ASSEMBLY Denver C. Hamman, Palatine,11]., assignor to Illinois Tool Works, Chicago, 111., a corporation ofIllinois Application August 13, 1957, Serial No. 677,863 9 Claims. (Cl.308-18) This invention is concerned of a plastic and a metal a rollerassembly.

It is common practice to mount rollers of one sort or another on metalstuds for use in the window lift system of an automobile, for example.The use of metal rollers is not entirely desirable in such systems,since a certain amount of looseness or play in the parts usuallydevelops after a time, and rattling is apt to result. In accordance withthis invention, a plastic, preferably nylon, roller is utilized for thispurpose in connection with a steel stud. Furthermore, the plastic rollerdoes not present the lubrication problems that a metal roller does.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a plasticroller rotatably and permanently associated with a metal stud.

More particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide a rollerassembly wherein a plastic roller is substantially permanently assembledwith a metal stud by a simple axial telescoping movement.

More particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide anassembly'wherein a plastic sleeve or roller is substantially permanentlyrotatably secured on a stud by means of resilient structure on saidsleeve or roller snapping over a head on said stud.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention willbe apparent from the following description when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a somewhat schematic side view showing the window liftmechanism of an automobile or the like incorporating a roller assemblyin accordance with the principles of this invention, such view beingtaken substantially along the line 11 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view assembly;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view through the roller assembly asinstalled, as taken substantially along the line 44 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the installed roller assembly,as taken along the line 5-5 in Fig. 4; and v Fig. 6 is a longitudinalsectional view of the roller assembly showing the manner in which theparts resiliently snap together.

Referring now in greater particularity to the drawings, there will beseen a window lift mechanism designated generally by the numeral 10.This mechanism is mounted within the body or door 12 of an automobile,and includes a plate 14 having a horizontal channel 16 mounted thereon.Similar horizontal channels 18 and 20 are mounted on a number 22 fixedalong the bottom edge of the window 24. Roller assemblies 26 arereceived 16, 18 and 20, and a straight strap between the rollerassemblies assogenerally with an assembly part, and more particularlywith of the roller or lever 28 extends nited States Paten flice PatentedAug. 4, 1959 ciated with the channels 16 and 20, the roller assembliesbeing mounted on this strap or lever. A transversely disposed strap orlever 30 mounts the roller 26 associated with the channel 18, and isprovided with an ear or lug 32 which is pivotally connected at 34 to thestrap or lever 28. The strap 30 is formed at its lower end with a gearsegment 36, and a pinion 38 meshes therewith. The pinion is fixed on arotatable shaft 40 having the usual window crank 42 fixed on theopposite end thereof.

Window lift mechanisms of the type just described are well known in theart, as is the operation thereof. Turning of the crank 42 causes thepinion 38 to rotate the segment 36 and the strap 30 about a fixed pivot44. The roller 26 associated with the channel 18 forces this channel upor down, as the case may be, and simultaneously moves one direction orthe other in the channel. Simultaneously, the strap or lever 28 is movedup or down. The channel 16 forms a horizontally fixed reac-- tion base,and the lever 28 pivots about the pivot 34 as the roller 26 moves in thechannel 16, the roller 26 at the opposite end thereof acting in thechannel 20 to raise or lower the channel 20 simultaneously with thechannel 18. Accordingly, the window is raised or lowered.

The precise structure of the roller assembly as disclosed herein is seenin connection with Figs. 3-6. The assembly 26, which is identical ineach instance, includes a metal stud 46. The stud includes anintermediate bearing portion 48 of intermediate diameter, and a reduceddiameter shank 50 is provided which is adapted to be inserted in anaperture in a cooperating Work part, such as one of the straps or levers28 or 30. The shank 50 may form a press fit with its associated part, orthe end thereof may be peencd over to secure it in place, or any otherknown or suitable means may be used for this purpose. The-stud 46 iscompleted by a flat head 52 at the end opposite the shank. The head,like the remainder of the stud, is circular. The head is of relativelylimited axial extent.

The roller assembly 26 also includes a roller 54. The roller 54 includesa boss or shank 56 having an axial bore 58 rotatably receiving the body48 of the stud. The roller further includes an annular rim 60 having acountersunk recess 62 therein adapted to receive the head 52 of thestud. The diameter of the rim recess 62 is such as rotatably to receivethe head 52, and generally is great enough to allow axial movement ofthe roller relative to the stud.

However, the rim is provided with a pair of internal chordal projections64. It will be understood that two projections are chosen by way ofillustration, but that the number could vary. Preferably, suchprojections are symmetrically disposed about the rim. Chordal slots 66are provided adjacent the projections 64. These slots convenientlyextend completely through the rim 60, are parallel to the projections64, and are arcuately substantially coterminous therewith, althoughpreferably slightly shorter in arcuate extent.

The slots 66 impart a certain degree of elasticity or flexibility to theprojections 64 and the adjacent portions of the rim 60. Accordingly,when it is desired to asso ciate a roller with a stud, the stud ispushed axially through the roller, as in Fig. 6. The projections 64 andadjacent portions of the rim deflect and stretch outwardly, principallyby virtue of the slots 66, and also by virtue of the inherent resiliencyof the plastic, preferably nylon, of which the roller is made.Accordingly, the head 52 cams past the projections 64, the projectionspreferably being provided with bevelled outer edges or surfaces as at 68to facilitate such camming action. The roller then is substantiallypermanently, but rotatably, associated 'with the stud. It will beobserved that the roller could be removed by a reverse process, shouldthe roller become 3 damaged, or should it be necessary to dissociate theparts for any other reason.

It will now be apparent that there has been disclosed an improved rollerassembly of extreme simplicity to fabricate and assemble, one which isquiet in operation, and one which requires no lubrication or othermaintainance during its service life. The specific example of theinvention as herein shown and described will be understood as being forpurposes of illustration only. Various changes in structure will nodoubt occur to those skilled in the art, and are to be understood asforming a part of this invention insofar as they fall within the spiritand scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An assembly comprising a stud having a head thereon, and a roller ofresilient material, said roller having a recess rotatably receiving saidhead with said stud projecting axially therefrom in one direction, saidrecess opening outwardly of said roller axially in the oppositedirection and having an opening diameter at least as great as thediameter of said stud head, said roller having means projecting intosaid recess and inhibiting withdrawal of said stud, said roller havingopening means therein adjacent said projecting means projectinguniformly through the adjacent part of the roller in an axial directionand imparting enhanced deformability to said roller in the vicinity ofsaid projecting means, whereby to facilitate snapping of said head pastsaid projecting means into said recess.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the projecting meanscomprises a plurality of chordal projections.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein the projections arebevelled on their outer surfaces to facilitate entry of said head intosaid recess.

4. An assembly comprising a stud having a cylindrical body and a headprojecting radially therefrom, and a roller of resilient material, saidroller comprising a rim portion and a boss projecting axially therefrom,said roller having an axial bore therethrough rotatably received on saidstud body and further having an enlarged counterbore receiving said headand opening oppositely of said boss, said recess opening outwardly ofsaid roller axially in the direction opposite said boss and having anopening diameter at least as great as the diameter of said stud head,said roller having means projecting into said recess and inhibitingwithdrawal of said stud, said roller having opening means thereinadjacent said projecting means and imparting enhanced deformability tosaid roller in the vicinity of said projecting means, whereby tofacilitate snapping of said head past said projecting means into saidrecess.

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein the opening meanscomprises a plurality of elongated slots, said slots being elongatedgenerally circumferentially of said roller and spaced radially outwardlyof said projecting means.

6. An assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein the projecting meanscomprises a plurality of chordal projections, the projections and slotsbeing equal in number, and said slots being straight whereby to provideresilient sections of material of uniform size.

7. An assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein the slots extend axiallythrough said roller, opening axially thereof in both directions.

8. An assembly comprising a stud having a metal body, a metal head oflarger diameter integral therewith, and a shank integral with said bodyand extending axially therefrom on the end opposite said head, and aroller of plastic material having a rim and having an axially projectingboss, said roller having a bore extending axially therethrough androtatably receiving the body of said stud, said roller having anenlarged counterbore therein receiving said head and opening outwardlyof said roller axially in the opposite direction from said boss andhaving an opening diameter at least as great as the diameter of saidstud head, said roller having chordal means projecting into said recesssubstantially at the opening thereof and inhibiting withdrawal .of saidstud, said roller having opening means therein adjacent said projectingmeans and imparting enhanced deformability to said roller in thevicinity of said chordal projecting means, whereby to facilitatesnapping of said head past said projecting means into said recess.

9. An assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein the chordal projectingmeans comprises a plurality of chordal projections equally arcuatelyspaced about the opening of said recess, and wherein the opening meanscomprises a plurality of slots equal in number to said chordalprojections and substantially aligned radially therewith, said slotsbeing elongated generally circumferentially of said roller, beingsubstantially coterminous with said chordal projections, and extendingaxially completely through the rim of said roller.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS756,403 Plowman Apr. 5, 1904 2,127,598 Horn et al. Aug. 23, 19382,497,224 Laure Feb. 14, 1950 2,778,159 Irwin Jan. 22, 1957 FOREIGNPATENTS 676,782 Great Britain Aug. 6, 1952

